Wholeheartedly Seeking God: A Call to Return
Summary
In the heart of Jeremiah 29:13 lies a profound promise: "Ye shall seek me and find me when you shall search for me with all your heart." This assurance was given to the captives in Babylon, urging them to seek God wholeheartedly as a precursor to their deliverance. This principle extends to us today, emphasizing that a blessing is often preceded by earnest prayer and seeking. God, in His sovereignty, may bless us unexpectedly, but His promise remains: those who seek Him with sincerity will find Him.
To the unconverted, the message is clear: you are distant from God, and nothing will be right until you return to Him. Like the prodigal son, you must arise and seek your Father. This search is not about looking within, for our hearts are void of anything Godlike. Nor is it about performing good works to earn merit, as our separation from God is the root issue. Instead, the path to God is through Jesus Christ, who has removed the barriers and welcomes us with open arms.
For backsliders, the call is to return with a whole heart. You once knew the truth and professed faith, yet you strayed. Now is the time to seek God earnestly, for you cannot plead ignorance. The judgment day will reveal the truth of your heart, and only a sincere return to God will suffice.
As a church, we must seek God's presence continually. We have experienced His grace, but we must guard against complacency. Our zeal, prayerfulness, and holy living must remain fervent, lest we lose His presence. The story of Robert Hall reminds us of the necessity of loving God wholeheartedly. Our love for God should drive us to glorify Him in all we do, seeking His presence with all our hearts.
Key Takeaways:
- Wholehearted Seeking: The promise of finding God is contingent upon seeking Him with all our heart. This means not just a casual or half-hearted search, but a deep, earnest pursuit. When we seek God with sincerity, we align ourselves with His promise and open the door to His presence and blessings. [06:14]
- The Futility of Self-Reliance: Looking within ourselves or relying on our own works to find God is futile. Our hearts are void of anything Godlike, and our best efforts cannot bridge the gap between us and God. True reconciliation comes only through Jesus Christ, who has made the way for us. [03:19]
- The Urgency of Return: For backsliders, the urgency to return to God cannot be overstated. Having once known the truth, the call to return is not just a suggestion but a necessity. The judgment day will reveal the truth of our hearts, and only a sincere return to God will suffice. [19:50]
- The Power of Earnest Prayer: As a church, our collective earnestness in prayer and seeking God is crucial. We must guard against complacency and strive for fervency in our spiritual lives. Our zeal and prayerfulness are vital in maintaining God's presence among us. [23:35]
- Love as a Sign of Salvation: A genuine love for God is a sure sign of being His child. This love should drive us to glorify Him in all we do, seeking His presence with all our hearts. Our love for God is not just an emotion but a commitment to live for His glory. [27:03]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - Introduction to Seeking God
- [00:32] - God's Promise to the Captives
- [01:18] - The Principle of Earnest Seeking
- [01:50] - Address to the Unconverted
- [03:00] - The Futility of Self-Reliance
- [05:02] - The Path to God Through Christ
- [06:14] - The Heartfelt Search
- [08:49] - The Dangers of a Divided Heart
- [10:35] - The Necessity of Earnestness
- [12:18] - The Urgency of Seeking God
- [15:20] - Finding God in Christ
- [18:12] - A Call to Backsliders
- [23:35] - A Charge to the Church
- [27:03] - Love as a Sign of Salvation
- [31:38] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Jeremiah 29:13: "Ye shall seek me and find me when you shall search for me with all your heart."
- Luke 15:11-32: The Parable of the Prodigal Son
- Matthew 6:33: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
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Observation Questions:
1. What promise does God make in Jeremiah 29:13, and to whom was it originally given? How does this promise extend to us today? [00:14]
2. In the sermon, what are the different ways people might seek God that are destined to fail? [06:14]
3. How does the story of the Prodigal Son illustrate the concept of returning to God with a whole heart? [02:24]
4. What does the sermon suggest is the role of Jesus Christ in our search for God? [05:02]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why is it important to seek God with all our heart, and what might this look like in practical terms? [06:14]
2. How does the sermon describe the futility of self-reliance in finding God, and what alternative does it offer? [03:19]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the urgency of returning to God for those who have backslidden? [19:50]
4. How does the sermon connect earnest prayer and seeking God with maintaining His presence in the church? [23:35]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current spiritual journey. Are there areas where you might be seeking God with a divided or half-hearted approach? How can you change this? [09:40]
2. The sermon emphasizes the futility of self-reliance. Are there areas in your life where you are relying on your own strength rather than seeking God’s guidance? How can you shift your focus? [03:19]
3. For those who have strayed from their faith, what steps can you take to return to God with sincerity? How can the story of the Prodigal Son inspire your journey back? [19:50]
4. As a church member, how can you contribute to maintaining a fervent and prayerful community that seeks God’s presence? What specific actions can you take this week? [23:35]
5. The sermon mentions the importance of loving God wholeheartedly. How can you demonstrate this love in your daily life? What changes might you need to make to prioritize God’s glory in your actions? [27:03]
6. Consider the urgency of seeking God as described in the sermon. Are there distractions or obstacles in your life that prevent you from seeking God earnestly? How can you address these? [12:18]
7. How can you encourage others in your small group or church community to seek God with all their hearts? What role can you play in fostering a supportive environment for spiritual growth? [31:38]
Devotional
Day 1: Wholehearted Pursuit of God
When we seek God with all our heart, we align ourselves with His promise of being found by Him. This pursuit is not a casual endeavor but requires a deep, earnest commitment. The promise in Jeremiah 29:13 was given to the captives in Babylon, urging them to seek God wholeheartedly as a precursor to their deliverance. This principle extends to us today, emphasizing that a blessing is often preceded by earnest prayer and seeking. God, in His sovereignty, may bless us unexpectedly, but His promise remains: those who seek Him with sincerity will find Him. [06:14]
Jeremiah 29:13-14 (ESV): "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can deepen your pursuit of God this week, ensuring it is wholehearted and not half-hearted?
Day 2: The Futility of Self-Reliance
Relying on our own efforts or looking within ourselves to find God is futile. Our hearts are void of anything Godlike, and our best efforts cannot bridge the gap between us and God. True reconciliation comes only through Jesus Christ, who has made the way for us. This understanding calls us to abandon self-reliance and embrace the grace offered through Christ. It is a reminder that our salvation and relationship with God are not based on our merit but on His mercy and love. [03:19]
Isaiah 64:6 (ESV): "We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away."
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying on your own strength rather than trusting in Christ's sufficiency? How can you shift your focus to rely more on Him today?
Day 3: Urgency in Returning to God
For those who have strayed from their faith, the urgency to return to God cannot be overstated. Having once known the truth, the call to return is not just a suggestion but a necessity. The judgment day will reveal the truth of our hearts, and only a sincere return to God will suffice. This is a call to examine our lives, recognize where we have drifted, and make a conscious decision to return to the path of righteousness. [19:50]
Hosea 14:1-2 (ESV): "Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. Take with you words and return to the Lord; say to him, 'Take away all iniquity; accept what is good, and we will pay with bulls the vows of our lips.'"
Reflection: Identify one area where you have drifted from God. What steps can you take today to begin your journey back to Him?
Day 4: The Power of Earnest Prayer
As a church, our collective earnestness in prayer and seeking God is crucial. We must guard against complacency and strive for fervency in our spiritual lives. Our zeal and prayerfulness are vital in maintaining God's presence among us. This call to prayer is not just about individual devotion but about the power of a community united in seeking God's will and presence. [23:35]
James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: How can you contribute to a culture of earnest prayer within your church community? What specific prayer initiative can you start or join this week?
Day 5: Love as a Sign of Salvation
A genuine love for God is a sure sign of being His child. This love should drive us to glorify Him in all we do, seeking His presence with all our hearts. Our love for God is not just an emotion but a commitment to live for His glory. It is a transformative force that shapes our actions, decisions, and interactions with others, reflecting the love we have received from Him. [27:03]
1 John 4:19-21 (ESV): "We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother."
Reflection: Reflect on your love for God. How does it manifest in your daily life and interactions with others? What is one way you can demonstrate this love more clearly today?
Quotes
and ye shall seek me and find me when you shall search for me with all your heart Jeremiah chapter 29: 13 Seekers directed and encouraged a sermon delivered by CH Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle date unknown this was part of the direction which God gave by his servant to the captives in Babylon they were to remain quiet in Babylon until the set time came for their deliverance and then there would be granted to them a gracious visitation from God which would move them to repentance and incite them to prayer then might they be quite sure that the time had come for their Deliverance when they sought the Lord with their whole heart [00:01:26]
it is a general principle that a blessing is about to come from the all merciful one when we are moved to pray for it with all our heart the Lord of Grace may send us blessings before we search for them but he is a sovereign and often far outstrips what we might have expected but his promise runs seek and ye shall find it and it is with the promise that we have most to do a cheering Assurance is given to those who seek in hearty Earnest and to this requirement of heartiness we must give Earnest heed at this time [00:49:32]
you have lost your God you are at a distance from him your sins have separated you from your maker and nothing will ever be right with you really right till you get back to your God you are a sheep away from its Shepherd now you are a prodigal son away from his father now and you will never be right I say till as a sheep you get back to the fold and as a son that has rebelled you are reconciled to your father you want your God and you will never be right till you find him [00:02:09]
in this search it will be of no use for you to look within your heart for it is empty and void of anything Godlike and all together estrange from God expect not to find the remedy in the disease No One turns to his empty purse in the hope that it will supply his Necessities for poverty is not the source of riches it were vain to look for the living among the dead therefore look not for grace and salvation to yourself [00:03:15]
there are several ways of seeking God which must prove failures one is to seek him with no heart at all this is done by those who take their book and read prayers never thinking what they say or who attend a dissenting place of worship and hear another person pray but never join in it this is done by those who bend the knee at even tide and mutter Pious words but never think who rise in the morning and repeat sacred sentences and never consider who with regard to Divine things are as little thoughtful as if the gospel were all a legend or an old wi's Fable not worth an hour's meditation [00:06:18]
some seek God with a false heart they flame with zeal and would have their friends know it for they say as jeu did to jehonadab come with me and see my Zeal for the Lord but their heart is not true towards God their piety is an affectation of feeling and not deep Soul workor it is sentimentality and not the graving of God's spirit upon the heart beware of a false religious excitement of being borne up with religious gas as some are inflated like Balloons by a Revival only to burst by and by when most they need something to support them [00:07:57]
some seek him too with a double heart a heart and a heart as the Hebrew puts it they have a heart towards God and they have a heart towards sin they have a heart towards the pardon but they have also a heart towards the transgression they would Fain serve God and Mammon they would build an altar for Jehovah and still keep Deon in his place if your heart is divided you will be found wanting those prayers will never get to heaven which only fly upward with One Wing [00:08:49]
now ye that are seeking Christ remember that if you would find him you must neither seek him without heart nor with a false heart nor with a double heart nor with a half heart but ye shall find me sayeth the Lord when you shall search for me with all your heart nobody gets on in the world who is half-hearted if a man wants money he must hunt for it morning noon and night if a man Longs for knowledge he cannot take a book and ladle it into his brain with a spoon he must read and study if he is to be a scholar [00:10:09]
what did Jesus say the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force Heaven's Celestial bastions must be stormed by downright importunity you must take the knocker of Heaven's Gate and not drop it from your fingers with a dainty tap but Hammer at Mercy's door again and again till you make the infernal deeps of Despair ReSound with your desperate knocks and cause Heaven itself to Echo with your hopeful determination that you will enter in or know the reason why [00:11:32]
I will tell you the only way in which we can find God is in Jesus Christ there he meets with men but nowhere else and to get to Jesus Christ there is nothing on Earth to be done but simply to believe it in him it is a matter which does not take a moment believe God's testimony about Jesus Christ and trust yourself with Jesus Christ and salvation is yours the saving word is near thee in thy mouth and in thy heart and that is why when men seek the Lord with their whole Hearts they find him [00:15:10]
I charge you then you that seek the Lord to be wholehearted in it for you cannot expect peace and joy in the Holy Ghost to all those straggling affections and wandering desires are tied up into one bundle and your entire being is eager in the search for God in Christ Jesus I cannot spare the Seeker any more time for I want to have five minutes with the backslider backsliders you have left your lord perhaps you have left the church or the church has left you by putting you outside its pale and deservedly so because you were a dishonor to it [00:17:43]
brethren we want the Lord to be always among us we have had his presence very graciously but I am always troubled lest any sin of ours should cause him to depart I dread anything like a decline in Zeal and ardor and generosity and prayerfulness and holy living among any of us lest the glory should depart and ikabod be written on our walls we hunger for our God for I trust we can say we love him can you say that [00:23:41]
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